Monoclonal antibodies against a human juxtaglomerular epithelioid granular cell tumour
Andreessen, R.; Baier, W.; Corvol, P.; Pinet, F.; Celio, M.R.
Acta Anatomica 140(2): 130-134
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5180 PMID: 1867053 Document Number: 378479
With the exception of the renin-angiotensin system, the molecular composition of juxtaglomerular epithelioid granular cells (JEG cells) is unknown. We demonstrate the molecular peculiarities of these modified smooth muscle cells using monoclonal antibodies produced against a benign human JEG-cell tumor. Six out of 29 different clones produced antibodies that label JEG cells nearly exclusively. Antibodies from the other clones recognize JEG cells but also granularly or homogeneously distributed antigens of proximal tubule cells. This suggests antigenic similarity between granules of JEG cells and lysosomes of proximal tubule cells. Other clones produce antibodies which tag different cytoplasmic membranes or even mast cells. The antibodies directed exclusively against JEG cells promise to be useful tools to study their physiology and pathology.